"Based on my experience watching hundreds of period dramas, this ancient well is definitely not simple."
Lin Fan stood by the edge of the ancient well. Inside, it was overgrown with weeds and had been abandoned for years.
At first glance, it seemed perfectly normal.
But actually, there was a big problem.
The house was inhabited, yet the well was dry. When you think about it carefully, it doesn't make sense. Where do they normally get their water?
Do they fetch water from elsewhere?
That would be going out of their way—the slightest bit of common sense would tell anyone this is unlikely.
"Hmph, no matter how deeply you hide something, thinking you can evade my meticulous observational skills is simply wishful thinking!" Lin Fan remarked smugly, as he touched the edge of the well with his fingers. It was very dry. When he pressed against the inner wall, it felt slightly damp.
This was enough to prove.
The well wasn't lacking a water source—it had been deliberately sealed shut by someone.
Why seal a perfectly functional old well?
To hide something?
Wouldn't that be like saying, "There's no silver in this spot," drawing attention instead?
Use your brain.
Now that he had pinpointed the most suspicious location, what was there to say?
No more words were necessary.
Lin Fan climbed up and prepared to dive into exploration.
Suddenly.
A flood of possible scenarios flashed through his mind, startling him into hesitation.
Clunk!
Just as his body was about to enter the well completely, his hands clung tightly to the edge. Then, Lin Fan climbed right back out.
"I almost forgot something very important."
Lin Fan realized he had been too careless.
If the ancient well truly was where Doctor Sun had hidden something, could it possibly be easy to access?
It would undoubtedly be filled with danger.
Lin Fan trusted his thirty-one years of cultivation would allow him to handle any trouble.
But being capable is one thing—taking unnecessary risks is another.
A cautious approach was his strategy for the early stages.
Given the current strength of his "cheat powers," he had outlined three strategic phases for himself:
Early phase: Play it safe. Middle phase: Take risks. Late phase: Charge blindly ahead.
He hoped to stick to these three principles.
Lin Fan furrowed his brow, staring into the pitch-black interior of the ancient well, sinking into deep thought. Personally braving the unknown wasn't necessary; it's not like there was anything pulling him in.
He had come here merely to verify theories.
Squeak squeak!
He heard a sound.
Lin Fan noticed that in a dim corner, two gray rats were performing an act that could make one blush: something indecent, with one in front and the other behind.
Squeak squeak!
It seemed the dark and ominous surroundings were quite romantic, making the rats exceptionally enthusiastic—their cries grew frequent and intense.
While their actions may not be proper.
Lin Fan wasn't someone to interfere with a couple's romantic moments, so naturally, he wouldn't disturb them.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly.
Lin Fan squinted his eyes, glancing once again at the two rats in the shadows. Then, his gaze shifted back to the well, as he started to contemplate something.
The male rat, meditating on the cosmic principles of Yin-Yang, suddenly felt a chilling breeze that dampened its vigor.
Squeak squeak!
The female rat turned around; her tiny, bean-like eyes conveyed clear dissatisfaction.
Useless.
Whoosh!
Under the moonlight, a long blade sliced through the air. With a *thud*, it landed right in front of the two rats, the sharp coldness rendering them frozen in place.
What on earth?
An attack?
Yet they couldn't smell any predator, like a cat.
A dark shadow enveloped the two rats.
"You're the ones. I'll need the help of you two."
Without waiting for the rats' consent, Lin Fan swiftly grabbed them with trembling movements. Soon, he found a length of rope and tied the pair tightly together.
The once-loving couple, upon realizing they'd been caught by a human, panicked entirely. Their four tiny limbs struggled wildly but to no avail—their strength was insufficient to break free.
"I have no idea what dangers lie inside." Lin Fan slowly lowered the two rats into the inner depths of the well.
For the frightened pair, who had assumed they were facing certain death, the darkness inside left them surprisingly comforted. Once they touched the ground, the rats exchanged a glance—alive after all!
Squeak squeak!
Squeak squeak!
After a brief exchange, the couple shot off into a tunnel inside.
Above the well.
Lin Fan cautiously lowered the rope, his expression serious. He had no idea what dangers might lurk below.
Soon after.
The rope began to shake—it seemed as if something was tugging on it. Whether it was the rats struggling or encountering some peril inside remained unclear.
"Something's happening." Lin Fan exclaimed in alarm, his heart racing. What the heck was going on inside?
A moment later.
The once-jittering rope fell still.
Lin Fan quickly yanked it back up.
Soon enough.
He caught sight of the rats. They were still rats, but they'd transformed from living ones to mangled, lifeless remains.
"This is too tragic." Lin Fan murmured, feeling a pang of guilt. Two vibrant lives had just vanished before him, leaving him both regretful and heartbroken.
Examining the injuries on the rats' bodies.
He noticed steel pellets about the size of soybeans.
"Good thing I didn't go down myself—who knows what might've happened." Surely, it was some trigger mechanism causing the rats to be riddled with steel pellets.
Given their tiny size and the sheer density of projectiles, this indicated the trap was highly lethal.
If he'd gone down there himself, he might never have returned alive.
Thirty-one years of cultivation were cultivation; it didn't mean he had indestructible skin. Moreover, the space down there was tight—there wouldn't even have been room to dodge effectively.
Lin Fan hesitated briefly at the well's edge, then decisively walked away.
Of course.
The sacrifice of this "martyr couple" left him feeling sorrowful. Instead of discarding their bodies, he dug a small hole and buried them properly.
He even found a wooden plaque and carved an inscription.
'Grave of the Righteous Rat Couple of Jiangdu City.'
'Born unknown; died August 6th, at the hour of the Ox.'
Lin Fan gazed solemnly at the bun-sized mound of soil and murmured, "Rest assured, your sacrifice won't be in vain. I, Lin Fan, swear on my constable's honor to avenge you both. Go in peace."
If the rat couple could speak, they might have said.
"We deeply f***ing thank you."
To which Lin Fan's reply might have been.
"No thanks needed—it's my duty."
Dungeon.
"Ah Qie."
A deathly pale Doctor Sun sneezed, shivering uncontrollably. "I'm innocent! You can't treat me like this."
"Bao Liu, can't you start a fire? I'm freezing to death here."
Doctor Sun still tried to hold on.
He couldn't admit guilt—not if he wanted even the slightest chance of salvation.
Collaborating with demons was a capital offense, unforgivable.
"Weren't you a fine doctor? How could you end up working with demons? You've basically signed your own death warrant," Wang Baoliu scolded. To him, this was all Sun Tao's fault—no one to blame but himself.
"Think of your parents, who raised you through all kinds of hardships. And yet, here you are committing acts that defy all heavenly principles."
Wang Baoliu sighed, shaking his head regretfully—it truly broke his heart.
The constable beside him muttered, "Brother Bao Liu, isn't that going a bit off topic?"
"Hmm, you're right, I went off on a tangent. The boss ordered us not to show him any mercy, so we'll have to handle this seriously. The time has come—fetch the water." Wang Baoliu declared.
Doctor Sun would've murdered Wang Baoliu if given the chance.
The bastard!
Why hadn't that epidemic burned him into a vegetative state back then?
PS: Asking for some recommendation votes, maybe some virtual gifts too. Big thanks to the awesome folks who helped me get a cover design! Hehe.